Movable seat for vehicles and the like



Oct. 6, 1925. Re. 6,180

A. w. CHAPMAN El AL MOVABLE SEAT FOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Original Filed Aug. '7, 1922 2 She ets-Sheet 1 M ATTORNEY Oct- 6, v Q

A. W- CHAPMANET AL IIOVABIJE'SEAT FOR VEHICLE-S AND THE LIKE Original Filpd Aug, 7. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Reissued a. 6, 192 s.

ARTHUR WILLIAM CHAPMAN AND Re. 16,180 PATENT; OFFICE.

FRANK GUY LANG BIDDLECOMBE, OF LONDON,

ENGLAND.

MOVABLE SEAT FOB VEHICLES AND THE LIKE.

. r a! i Original No. 1,444,660, dated February 6, 1923, Serial No. 580,295, filed August 7, 1922. Application for reissue filed January 20, 1925. Serial No. 8,704.

To a?! whom it may concern:

Be .it known that we. ARTHUR VILLIAM CHAPMAN and FRANK GUY Laxo Broom:- e'omut. subjects of the King of Great- Brita'in. both of Ranelagh Gardens, Huilingl am. London. S. V. 6. England, have invented a Movable Seat for Vehicles and the like. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in means for shifting or' moving seats: and the same has for its object more particularly to provide a siniple. reliable and etlicient device which facilitates the movement of said seat from one position to another when said seat is actuated.

Further. said invention has for its object to provide a seat of the character's ecitied. which is adapted to be directly isposed upon the floor of a motor-car, boat, airplane. or the like. to firmly rest thereon. and whichis readily shifted or moved out of the way to provide a passage for persons entering and leaving said vehicle. or the like.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a seat of the character specified. which is shifted or-moved bodily over said' floor from one position to the other without being unduly opposed or retarded by frictional forces.

Furthensaid invention has for its 0bjeetto .provide a seat of the character s ecilied. which is'moved or shifted bodily rom one position to the other giving the'salne a slight push requiring very little exertion on the part of the operator.

Further. said invention has for its ob'ect to )rovide a seatof the character speci ed, 'WlllCll must'be initially tilted by the operator to cause movement of-said seat bodily from one position into the opposite position.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a seat of the character specified in which the supporting edges of the seat when the same is in operative position and the pivotal connection of said rigid connecting member to the floor lie in substantially the same horizontal plane in close proximity to or coincident with said floor. and in which the pivotal connection of said member to the seat is disposed closely adjacent to said SllplJOltlllg edges in positionto cause said rigid member to hold said seat against longitudinal movement until the same is.

the movement of "said seat bodily from one' position to another, and in which said member is disposed beneath said seat in one of the positions thereof to permit of the tilting of said seat to a substantially vertical position about the pivotal connection of said seat with said member, whereby to render the parts. normally obstructed by said seat, accessible.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a seat of the character specified in which the seat shifting means may be secured to the seat in one position to cause the front of the seat to tilt in one direction'when the same is actuated, or may be secured thereto in the reverse position to cause said front to tilt in the opposite direction when said seat is actuated, whereby said means may be installed in one position or. the other, depending on the position of the parts of the car which face the occupant of said seat.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

Tov the attainment of the aforesaidobjects and ends our invention consists in the novel details of construction, and in the combina-' tion. connection and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings showing an illustrative embodiment of the invention Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts omitted and with parts in section of one form of seat constructed according to and embodying the invention. the seat being illustrated in full lines in its normal or sitting position, and in broken lines in its opposite or inoperative position:

Fig. 2 is a plan of the seat supporting de- Fig. 3 is aplan of said device disposed in the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1;

the upholstered body 1 of the seat is rigidly attached to or mounted upon the parallel frame members 2 which serve to support the seat 1 directly upon the floor or surface 1" in each of its positions, the said frame members 2 having straight lower edges which engage said floor or surface 1 when the ,seat is in either of its two positions to provide a firm support for said seat during the travel of the vehicle.

Associated with one extremity or end of the frame members 2 is means serving to reduce friction during the travel of said seat over said surface 1, and'serving as an axis about which said seat is tilted when the same is actuated to move the same from either position to the other, said end or extremity engaging said surface continuously throughout the travel of said seat from either position to the other position. This means is illustrated as an axle 3 having small wheels or rollers 5 thereon, although castors runners, slides, or other suitable anti-friction devices may be employed. A

rigid seat shifting member comprising diverging arms 6, is pivoted at the outer diverging ends 6 of said arms 6 to the inner sides of the members 2 at the end or extremity thereof which is opposite the rollers 5, said arms 6 being a apted to swing between said members 2 about a horizontal axis. The opposite end 6" of said arms 6 is pivoted to a plate 7 secured by bolts 8 to a plate 9, which is in turn secured to The'plate 9 preferabl has a seriesof holes 10 therein to receive t e bolts 8'so that the plate 7 may be secured .to the plate 9 in different longitudinal positions to permit of the ad'ustment of the device to properly'locate t e seat relative to the other parts of the vehicle or place in which the seat is installed.

The distance between the pivots 6' and 6 does not exceed, and is preferably less than 'thedistance between the pivot 6 and axle 3. so that when the end 6 of the seat is lifted the rollers 5 will remain in engagement with the floor 1' throughout t-he entire travel of the seat, providing a bearing support for the seat offering very little resist ance to themovement thereof.

The arms 6 are illustrated in Figs. 1 to are in the inoperative of a modified .front of the driver or 4 as being shorter than the members 2 and in .Fig. 5 as being of substantially the same length as said members.- The pivotal connection 6* and the lower edges of the members 2 which rest on the floor 1 when the same are in the operative positions (Figs. 1 to 5), and when the same positions (Figs. 1 to 4), lie substantially in the same horizontal plane in close proximity to or coincident with the said floor. The pivot 6 likewise lies closel adjacent to the lower edges of said members 2 in position to cause said member 6 to hold said seat against longitudinal movement due to inertia or other longitudinally acting forces. The pivots 6 and 6" may be disposed in substantially horizontal alinement, as illustrated, when Til operation, the seat shifting means may be secured to the seat, either as shown in Fig. 1, or as shown in Fig. 4. The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is advantageous when the facia board or part of the motorvcarin being then desirable to impart a downward tilting movement to the front of the seat when actuating it. The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 may be employed when the facia board is high enough to'clear the upwardly tilting front edge of the seat upon the actuation thereof. When it is'desired to actuate the seat (Fig. 1) to move the same for wardly out of the way, the rear of the back 4 of the seat is given a slight push appliedat the point B, which affords considerable leverage.

The seat thereupon tilts about the rollers 5 as an axis moving the pivot 6 vertically.

be tilted to cause the same to move passenger is low, it

Owing to theconnection of the arm 6 to the seat, the tilting movement resolves into a combined tiltingand longitudinal movement which causes the pivot 6 to swing over the pivot 6", moving the seat bodily into its forward or inoperative position, as illustrated in broken lines, Fig. 1. The seat is returned to its operative or sitting position by applying an initial tilting pressure on the back 4 at the point B.

' 'hen the seat (Figs. 1 to 4) is moved forwardly and backwardly between the two positions thereof, the extremity on which the seat rests, travels in a straight line in continuous engagement with the floor and the opposite edge or extremity describes an. arc of substan-, tially 180 degrees.

one edge or extremity, i. e., 1

,wardly into its opposite ner' above described. The operation is the same in both cases, except that in the arrangement of Fig. 4, the front of the seat tilts upwardly instead of downwardly, as

' in the arrangement of Fig. 1. The seat is pressure is applied at returned by applying pressure at A.

It is necessary to tilt the seat to cause the same to ,move bodily longitudinally. This tilting movement instantly reduces to a minimum the bearingsurface in contact with the floor and renders the frictional forces opposing the longitudinal movement negligible.

\Vhen the seat is in the operative or sitting position shown in Fig. 1. the same tends to tilt backwards around the pivot 6 as an axis. To prevent this when the seat is in use a catch or hook 13 secured to the floor is provided, which automatically eninto its rearmost position. Because of the construction and arrangement of parts above described, arms 6 are disposed beneath the seat may be tilted about the pivot 6 as an axis into a substantially vertical position by first movingthe seat slightly to disengage the catch 13, and then by swinging the seat upwardly about said axis 6'. When the seat is swung vertically access may be had to the parts normally obstructed thereby for the purpose of cleaning and repairing said parts. a

' In Fig. 5 is shown a form of the invention which may be employed on cars having a; central lever control at in some cases prevents the use of the arrangements of Figs. 1 to 4. The arrangenient of Fig. 5 is like that of Fig. 4 except that in-the former, the arm 6 is longer.

The back 11 ishinged at 12 to permit of the folding thereof overthe seat 1. this seat forwardly to inoperative position. A to the front of the back 11, which tilts the seat about the extremity 5, the seat thereupon moving for.- wardly into a substantially vertical position, as shown in broken lines, with the back 11 folded upwardly against the seat. The principle of operation here is the same as in the other construction, except owing to the use of a longer arm 6 the forward end of the seat describes an arc of only degrees instead of an arc of approximately degrees. The link or arm 6 'of Fig. 5

not only serves to direct the seat in its gages over the axle 3 when the same moves,

he whole seat when the the front,-. which.

To movemovements from one positionto the other,

but also facilitates the movement by causing the seat to travel longitudinally when the same is tilted as'above described.

Our said invention although of general application is particularly adapted for use in closed motor-cars of the sedan type where it is necessary to move the front seat forwardly before passengers can enter and leave the car.

Having thus described our said invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A vehicle or other seat including a base member therefor adapted to rest upon a support in an operative position and to be moved bodily upon said support to another position thereon, and a member pivotally connected at one end to one" extremity of said base member and at its opposite end to said support on which said base'member is adapted to travel; said pivoted member, when said seat is at rest in'said operative position, extending substantially horizontal- 1y to maintain said seat in said operative position against movement bodily horizontally relative to said support, and, when said seat is in either of said positions, serving to facilitate the movement of said seat to the. other of said positions when the seat is tilted: and the opposite extremity of said base member constituting an axis about which said seat is tiltable to permit of the movement thereof from each ofsaid positions to the other, and by which said support is continuously engaged during the movement of said seat back and forth between said positions. 2. A vehicle or other seat including a base member therefor adapted to rest upon a support in an operative position and to be moved bodily upon said support to another position thereon. a member pivotally connected at one end to one extremity of said base member and at its opposite end to said support on which said base member is adapted to travel: said pivoted member. when said seat is at rest in operative position, extending substantially horizontally. and, when said seat is in either of said positions, serving to facilitate the movement of said seat to the other of said positions when the seat is tilted; the opposite extremity of said base member constituting an axis about \which said seat is tilt-able to'permit of the movement thereof from each ot' said positions to the other. and by which said support is continuously engaged during the movement of said seat back and forth between said positions. and means serving to permit of the connection of said pivoted member to lit) lit)

said support at any of aplurali-tyof points longitudinally thereof whereby to vary the r 3. A vehicle or other seat including a 1 said seat is at rest movement of said seat back and forth be-.

m to the other adapted to rest upon a base member therefor adapted to rest upon a support in an operative position ands-t0 be moved bodily upon'said support to another position thereon, a member pivotally connected at one end to one extremity of said base member and. at its opposite end to said support; said pivoted member, when in operative position, extending substantially horizontally to maintain the seat against movement bodily horizontally relative to said support, and, when saidseat is in either of said positions, serving to facilitate the seat is tilted; and the opposite extremity of said base member constituting an axis about which said seat is tiltable .to permit of the movement thereof fr( )m\ each of said positions to the other, and by which said support is continuously engaged during the tween said positions, and a locking member on said support in the path of travel of said seat serving to engage said base mem ber to hold the seatto said support when the same is moved to operative position.

4. A vehicle or other seat including a base member therefor having side portions support in an operative position and to be moved bodily upon said support to another position thereon, a member pivotally connected at one end below said seat at one extremity of said base member between said side portions thereof, and at its opposite end to said support on a level with said pivoted member, when said seat is in certain of said positions, extending beneath said seat between said side portions, and,'when said seat is in either of said positions. serv ing to facilitate the movement of said seat of,said positions, and antifriction devices at the opposite extremity of said base member constituting an axis about which said seat is tiltable to permit of the movement thereof from each of) said posi- 'tions to the other,

and by which said support is continuously engaged during the .movement of said seat back and forth between said positions.

5. A vehicle or other seat including a low 'base member providing a seat having a rela tively low center rest upon a support in an operative position and to be moved bodily u onsaid support to another position thereon, and a member pivotally connected at one end below said seat at one extremity of said base, and at its opposite end .to said support on which said base member is adapted to travel; said pivoted member in certain of the positionsof said seat extending; substantially horizontally to maintain said seat in said operative position against movement bodily horizon,- tally relative to said movement of said seat to the other of said positions when the -gage said base member side portions; said -seat to the other of said of gravity and adapted to support, and in each.

port' is continuously engaged during t e back and forth bemovement of said seat tween said positions.

6. A vehicle or other seat including a base member for the seat adapted to rest upon a support and to bemoved bodily upon said support between spaced positions there- .on, a plate, an arm pivotally connected at one end to one extremity of said base member and at its opposite end to said plate; the opposite extremity of said base member constituting 'an' axis about which aid seat is tiltable, and serving to continuously engage said "support as the seat is moved between said positions', means serving to permit of the connection of saidplate to said support in any of a plurality of positions longitudinally thereo ber carried by said plate, and serving to enmoved to operative position.

7. A vehicle or other seat including a base member including elongated, relatively narrow horizontally extending side portions upon which the seat is secured; said side portions being adapted to rest upon a support in an operative position and to be moved bodily upon said support to another position thereon, a member pivotally connected at one end to; one extremity of said base member between said side portions thereof and at its opposite end to said support; said pivoted member, when said seat is atrest in said operative position, being disposed to maintain said. seat in said my erative position against horizontally relative to said support, and when said" seat .is in either serving to facilitate the movement of said positions when the same is tilted and the opposite extremity of said base member constituting anaxis about which said seat is tiltable to permit of the movement thereof from each of said positions. to the other,

of ,said seat back and forth between said ARTIIURTWIIJJAI Charmin.

when the seat is movement bodilv of said positions, x

one thousand ninehundred and a locking memandwhich continuously engages said support during the movement max cur u ac mnmastzoinu-z. 

